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The Czech government is facing strong backlash after it was revealed that nearly $45 million worth of Bitcoin, seized from a convicted criminal, was quietly sold by the Justice Ministry.
The sale has now sparked a political storm, leading to the resignation of the justice minister and a call for a no-confidence motion in parliament.
$45 Million Bitcoin Scandal
The scandal started when the Czech Justice Ministry revealed it had auctioned nearly 500 Bitcoins. These digital assets were seized from Tomas Jirikovsky, an online drug dealer convicted in 2017.
He had been in prison from 2017 to 2021 for drug trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession of weapons.
While the sale raised approximately 1 billion Czech koruna (about $45 million), the opposition argues that the transaction lacked proper transparency and oversight.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Blazek was criticized for accepting the funds without involving police or prosecutors to verify if the assets were legal, raising concerns about whether the government may have unintentionally legitimized money from criminal sources.
Opposition Call For No-Confidence Motion
Alena Schillerova, vice chair of the opposition ANO party, called the situation unacceptable. In a recent tweet post, she said there was “no choice” but to file a no-confidence motion, which is now scheduled for Tuesday.
ANO is demanding to know who approved the sale, whether the Bitcoin’s origins were legally verified, and if any party improperly benefited.
This case highlights the growing need for transparency when governments handle digital assets like Bitcoin. With public trust at stake and elections approaching, how the Czech government responds now could shape its political future.
Justice Minister Steps Down
As pressure grew, Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned on May 30. Although he denied any wrongdoing, he said he was stepping down to protect the government’s image ahead of the October elections.
Eva Decroix has stepped in as the new justice minister and has promised an independent probe into the sale. She has also said the ministry will fully cooperate during the investigation.
Crypto Scandals Aren’t Just Local
This controversy isn’t happening in a vacuum. Around the world, other political leaders are facing similar heat. Argentina’s President Javier Milei faced backlash after a token he promoted collapsed in price, though he was later cleared.
In the U.S., Donald Trump is under scrutiny from Democrats over his crypto connections.